“It is precisely during the electoral period that civil society in general and the electorate in particular most need a free press,” said Ayres Britto, the vice president of the Supreme Court who authored the decision.

Until now, Brazilian TV and radio had been prohibited from “in any way degrading or ridiculing candidates, parties or coalitions” running in the October elections. It had taken the sting out of shows that rely on political satire such as Casseta & Planeta and CQC.